Major city · Bhutan
Mebisa
Skip the overnight: Mebisa is a 30-min leg-stretch on the Thimphu–Phuentsholing bus, worth one stop at Zhangthopelri Lhakhang before you ride on.
Mebisa, formally Chukha, is a small hydro-electric town of about 2,900 people in a green valley, roughly 3 h by road from both Thimphu and Phuentsholing. It has one sight, Zhangthopelri Lhakhang, and almost no visitor services, so it works as a short stop on a transfer day rather than a base. Most travellers see it from the bus and keep going.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BTN
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon rain and landslides on the road)
- Airport
- PBH
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Bhutan ↗Sustainable Development Fee: USD 100 per adult per night for international visitors until 31 Aug 2027 (children 6–11 half rate, under 6 free); Indian nationals pay in rupees at a lower rate. Confirm the current rate on the official tourism site before booking.
- Bhutan ↗Visa: apply through the official Bhutan tourism visa system, cleared before you board; plan the trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator.
- Bhutan ↗Paro is Bhutan's only international airport: approaches are visual, flights run in daylight only, and cloud or wind cancels them; keep a spare day at both ends.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mebisa113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mebisa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkNgultrum (BTN) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; rupees are widely accepted but check which notes.Bhutan-wide
- SIM or eSIMB-Mobile (Bhutan Telecom) and TashiCell sell tourist SIMs in Paro and Thimphu with your passport; your guide can help.Bhutan-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; hotels provide bottled or filtered water.Bhutan-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected; round up.Bhutan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/F/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bhutan-wide
- SafetyMebisa is generally safe; traffic can be busy around the bus stop.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in certified hotels and restaurants; squat toilets at some roadside stops.Bhutan-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 112 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany dzongs close their shrine rooms during festivals and some ceremonies; government offices close on Saturday afternoons and Sunday…Bhutan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPBH Paro International Airport (The only international airport; about 4–5 h by road from Mebisa.).
- Getting aroundBuses between Thimphu and Phuentsholing pass above the town; ask the driver for the Mebisa stop, then walk down.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealTea or snacks at a roadside stopNu 50–150
- Metro or bus rideBus fare Thimphu ↔ Phuentsholing (full route)the Mebisa stop is on this routeNu 1,200–1,500
- Budget bedNo overnight stay in Mebisa, a night, per personBTN 0
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double in Thimphu or Phuentsholing, a night, per roomBTN 5,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double in Thimphu or Phuentsholing, a night, per roomBTN 12,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BTN 2,000 · Mid BTN 3,000 · High BTN 5,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PBH Paro International Airport (The only international airport; about 4–5 h by road from Mebisa.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (24 rain days), driest Dec (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mebisa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
15 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
20 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
24 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
22 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
17 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses between Thimphu and Phuentsholing pass above the town; ask the driver for the Mebisa stop, then walk down. No local taxis or city buses. Outside Thimphu and Paro you travel with a licensed guide and driver.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 3 h
Bus or private car on the Thimphu road
Capital with the dzong, weekend market and craft schools; the usual next stop.
Phuentsholing
goDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus or private car down the same road
Border town; the practical exit or entry point for Bhutan by land.
Door to door: 4–5 h
Private car via Thimphu or the Chuzom junction
Too far for a return day; sleep there for Tiger's Nest and the airport.
Door to door: 5–6 h
Private car via Chuzom and the Dochu La pass
Plan a night in the valley; the dzong is the draw.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
No visitor accommodation
Plan to sleep in Thimphu or Phuentsholing the same day; confirm any local guesthouse through your licensed operator before relying on it.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Nu 2,000–3,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Nu 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- High
- Nu 5,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double in Thimphu or Phuentsholing1 × 1 night × BTN 2,500 | BTN 2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BTN 2,000 | BTN 4,000 |
| Bus Thimphu ↔ Mebisa, both ways2 × BTN 800 | BTN 1,600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × BTN 2,500 | BTN 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BTN 1,310 |
| Trip total≈ BTN 7,210 per person per day, bed included | BTN 14,410 |
2026 estimate in ngultrum; the Sustainable Development Fee and operator costs are separate. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus fare Thimphu ↔ Phuentsholing (full route)the Mebisa stop is on this route | Nu 1,200–1,500 |
| Tea or snacks at a roadside stop | Nu 50–150 |
| Bottled water, 1 L | Nu 30–60 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Very limited food and no reliable lodging: carry water and snacks.
- Monsoon landslides can close the Thimphu–Phuentsholing road: check conditions before you set out.
- The town is a work-day settlement, not a sightseeing base; do not build an itinerary around it.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Ambulance
- 112
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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MebisaMebisa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
གནས་ཡིག་འདི་ལ་སྐུར།To this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Ambulance112
- Fire110
Embassy
US consulate in Paro; other embassies in Thimphu.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Thimphu → Mebisa (bus): about Nu 800 one-way, 3 h
- Mebisa → Phuentsholing (bus): about Nu 800 one-way, 3 h
Say or show
- དགོངས་འདེབས། — Excuse me / Sorry (gong-de-b)
- ཐུགས་རྗེ་ཆེ་བར་གནང་གིན། — Thank you (thuk-je-che-bar-nang-gin)
- གང་ཚད་ཡོད། — How much is it? (gang-tse-yod)
Mebisa is a transfer stop, not a base: keep your bags on the bus and confirm the stop with the driver.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mebisa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon rain and landslides on the road) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mebisa
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